Technology
aeronautics /
Europe
more sustainable
With hybrid propulsion, Airbus' EcoPulse project should fly later this year
EcoPulse demonstrator, based on Kodiak 100
Image: Airbus
Rafael Ramos
3/9/2022
Airbus' EcoPulse project was successfully tested in the wind tunnel in June last year. The aircraft supplied by Daher will be hybrid with an innovative battery.
The project developed by Airbus in partnership with Daher and Safran with the support of CORAC and DGAC of France has a very large environmental potential.
The project will use distributed propulsion, which is a system that works by splitting the thrust generation between many small engines positioned along the span of the wing. With the size of each engine reduced, the aircraft should have better cruising, take-off and landing performance, lower noise and greater energy savings.
Image: Unsplash
The assembly of the demonstrator based on Daher's Kodiak 100, as well as its first flight, should take place later this year.
The new lithium-ion battery developed by Airbus is pushing the limits of other batteries already seen in aviation, being light, compact and with a very high energy density, measuring approximately 2.3 meters in length, 75 cm in width and 20 cm high, 350 kg and 800 volts DC – today's batteries are typically 28 V and nickel-cadmium batteries. The Airbus Battery guarantees a supply of up to 350 KW. The project also has another energy source, the “e-Auxiliary power Unit” (e-APU) supplied by Safran.
“We started working on the high-voltage Li-ion a few years ago”, “And for this prototype, we designed it entirely in-house,” says Julien Laurent, battery project leader.
Image: Airbus
According to Airbus, that power is enough to power the EcoPulse's six electric thrusters and similar to what would be needed for the non-propulsive secondary systems of a commercial airliner.
By testing the behavior of the high voltage battery, Airbus hopes to be able to apply micro-hybridization architectures in future aircraft to optimize the energy and power management of non-propulsive functions such as air conditioning, autopilot and flight controls.
EcoPulse engine on wind tunnel
Image: Airbus
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Rafael Ramos
Aviation enthusiast from an early age, he had his first contacts with the area developing that good old habit of spending dozens of hours in front of the screens of Micrsoft Flight Simulator and other simulators. With a solid background in various technological areas, including engineering and chemistry, Rafael has rejoined aviation as editor and author of articles and materials on our portal, providing invaluable help to the dynamics and expansion of the website and the aeronautical community, bringing us the news and updates so indispensable for us to remain current in our area of operation.
   
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